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Artificial Insemination Procedure
by Dr. Ray Favero
A method of insemination called cervical insemination is commonly used in whitetail deer.
This method of insemination is very similar to the method used to inseminate goats. Similarities
exist between the goat and whitetail deer. Mainly both are seasonal breeders and have fairly high
fertility.
It varies from operation to operation, but some producers keep the. does in stalls or smaller
pens from the time of CIDR removal until artificial insemination. The most important thing is to
keep stress to a minimum from the time of CIDR removal until the time of artifiical insemination.
Procedures like worming, vaccinating or weaning should be done before or at CIDR
insertion. If the does will be tranquilized for insemination, then feed and water should be removed
for at least 12 hours prior to insemination.
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The equipment required for insemination are:
-Semen and well filled nitrogen tank
-Thawing thermos with 95 degree water
-Insemination gun for one quarter or one half cc straws
-Scissors'or straw cutting devise
-Speculum with light source, smaller or larger is helpful depending on doe age
-Non-spermicidal lubricant
-Microscope and supplies (optional)
-Slide warmer (optional)
-Paper towels
Myself and many insemination technicians often preform a pre-insemination evaluation of
the thawed semen with the microscope prior to insemination. Whitetail semen can be quickly
evaluated for gross motility, but differs from other species in that the semen must be warmed to
near body temperature before any movement is seen. .This is'in contrast to most other species
where if the semen is a little cool, the movement is present but just a little slow. Every year
several thousand dollars worth of whitetail semen is thrown away because an inexperienced and
untrained technician looks at a cold microscope slide and says that the semen is dead. If the
slide is warmed the semen will begin moving and is fine. But often this semen is discarded and
causes quite a lot of hardship and financial loss.
After the straw is thawed in the 95 degree water, the straw is dried and the end of the
straw (non-cotton plug end) is cut. The straw is inserted into a warmed insemination gun and
kept warm. The lubricated speculum is gently inserted into the vagina of the doe. A slight
upward angle is used as the speculum is started into the females reproductive tract. If difficulty in
introduction is encountered, then a smaller speculum should be used. The speculum is advanced
up to the cervix. Using the light, the opening of the cervix is visualized. While looking down the
speculum, the insemination gun is inserted through the speculum and into the opening of the
cervix. Gentle forward pressure along with slight rotation and side to side movement aid in
advancing the insemination gun further into the cervix. Sometimes the entire cervix is penetrated,
but often the gun is moved through one to two inches of the cervix. Semen is deposited in this
area, by depressing the plunger of the insemination gun.
After insemination the tranquilization is reversed or the does is released from the chute.
Experienced technicians can inseminate 12 to 15 per hour on tranquilized does or 20 to 25 does
in a good drop floor chute.